https://snob.eu/blogs/style.atomSNOB - Style2019-01-07T16:48:00+00:00SNOBhttps://snob.eu/blogs/style/wellness2019-01-07T16:48:00+00:002019-01-07T16:48:00+00:00Knowledge | High Level Wellnessjesca jade
Forget about conspicuous consumption and theories of the leisure class, these days it’s about conspicuous contentment and a derrière defining barre class. Whereas in the past much of the conversation surrounding health and fitness revolved around counting your macros and keeping up appearances, nowadays we’re all a little more wise and enlightened and favour a more holistic approach to wellness. Indeed, the old definition of health is as outdated as those Mr Motivator videotapes still holed up in your garage, the new measure of wellness goes beyond the mere absence of ailment and embraces the idea of ‘high-level wellness’: the conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving your full potential’.

Rather than living vicariously through all of that #fitspo scrolling you do on Instagram, here are a few tips to take the initiative and turn some of that fleeting motivation into an active pursuit of optimum wellbeing.

Let’s get physical

The theory: Described as the ‘miracle drug’ by many leading health practitioners, the benefits of regular exercise are numerous and plenty. Aside from the obvious benefits of acquiring a mighty fine physique, getting a good workout in has been shown to reduce stress and alleviate anxiety, improve cognitive function and mental clarity, increase confidence and self-esteem, as well as boosting your energy and those all important endorphins (the body’s natural ‘feel good’ chemicals), essentially making you a healthier, heartier, and more happier person in general.

In practice: Now you don’t have to run a marathon everyday to reap the rewards of a bit of cardiovascular activity, though, much like the pennies in your pocket, every little helps. Whether you’re an avid gym bunny or a homebody, try to find activities that you enjoy which you can build into your routine and stick to. With new gyms, fitness studios and health apps offering everything from strength training and callisthenics, to hot yoga and high-altitude workouts in a hypoxic chamber, we’re spoilt for choice with ways to get in shipshape condition.

Mind over matter

The theory: Like peanut butter and jelly, Kim and Kanye, or french fries and ketchup, the inextricable link between mind and body is beyond question. Numerous studies on the connection between mental and physical health have been conducted and proven it to be one of the key deciding factors as to whether you are healthy or not. Indeed, the World Health Organisation even goes as far as saying “there is no health without mental health”, the message: when you get your mind right, everything else will fall into place.

In practice: While the advice coming from all the self-styled self-help gurus is a step in the right direction, ‘thinking positively’ will only get you so far, it’s what you do with those thoughts that makes the difference. One of the first things that you can do is to develop your own personal philosophy, one that is both constructive and rewarding, and which leads to good habits. Once you have that sorted out, there are several other ways that you can use to enhance your mental state and boost your brainpower; expand your mind and become a lifelong learner by reading books or watching educational videos, travel the world and explore different cultures, tap into your creativity and join an art or dance class, become more mindful through the practice of meditation. The key is to find things that are going to encourage healthy levels of serotonin, build character, and which ultimately work for you.

Selfcare and sensibility

The theory: Despite what some of the marketing and naysayers in the media would have you believe, selfcare is not some sort of new-age narcissism that promotes excessive self-indulgence. In fact quite the opposite, selfcare is about being self-aware and looking after number one, it’s about making yourself a priority and creating the time to incorporate those health-inducing activities that you want to be doing into your daily schedule, without feeling any reproach or guilt about it. Because when you feel good and you’re at your best, you can give your best to others.

In practice: There’s more to selfcare than face masks and bubble baths, whilst treating yourself to new gym gear and a pampering session is to be encouraged, selfcare doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Practising selfcare can be as simple as enjoying some of life’s little luxuries such as taking a nice brisk walk in nature, prepping a healthy lunch for yourself the next day, or going on a mini digital detox for a few hours before bed whilst you complete your skincare routine–the idea is to ‘do you’.

Fuel for thought

The theory: Perhaps the most crucial component of high-level wellness and living a healthy lifestyle is the food you put into your body. Whereas practicing healthy eating habits with good nutrition, and a diet enriched full of vitamins and nutrients promotes good bodily function and performance, prevents disorders and disease, protects the immune system and enables you to perform at your best, a poor diet is more likely to leave you feeling lethargic and out of shape, cause sickness and contribute to an increased risk of infirmity. In essence, ‘you are what you eat’, and by making the conscious decision to consume quality ingredients you are not only going to look and feel good now, you’re going to be doing yourself a favor in the long term too.

In practice: Ignore the latest fad diets or woo-woo weight loss programs and begin to think of your food as the fuel to power up your day, so that you can go out there and be the very best version of yourself. Of course, everyone’s dietary needs are different, but as a general rule it’s best to opt for nourishing, wholesome ingredients that are going to boost your vitality and give you bounds of energy, and most importantly, foods which make you feel good.

Perhaps not the most flattering accessory to complement your look, dark circles and eye bags never really did manage to reach the chic list. Here we uncover the peculiar causes of those periorbital hangups—and the treatments that will obliterate them.

Some say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we’re pretty sure they aren’t referring to those dark circles or great big bulging eyebags. One of the most common complaints dermatologists receive from their patients is that their eyes look tired. This usually prompts the discussion about leaden under-eye circles, caused by discolouration of the epidermis, or visibly pronounced blood vessels that are an unfortunate side effect of thinning skin, but that’s only part of the story when you’ve got the awkward issue of saggy or puffy eye bags to contend with.

Because this skin surrounding the eyes is the thinnest compared to any other part of the entire body, it’s more susceptible to cumulative effects of ageing such as sun damage and environmental aggressors, as well as destructive lifestyle habits, which over time, can cause the skin to droop or become tumefied, creating an obvious demarcation along the tear trough (that is, the facial region between the cheekbone and the under-eye). This prevalent matter of looking haggard all the time becomes an issue for everyone at some point or another, and can develop for a variety of reasons, though oftentimes it just comes down to basic genetics, and the peculiar cards that you’ve been dealt.

The thing is, not all eye bags are created equal, so they often require varied plans of attack, depending on their cause. Ergo, if you’re tired of walking around with excess baggage under your eyes then continue reading to discover the reasons behind those ocular difficulties of yours and how to overcome them once and for all.

Problem: Dark circles under the eyes

A dearth of sleep is typically diagnosed as the main culprit behind those unsightly raccoon eyes, however, for the most part the solution is not as simple as getting a little more beauty sleep. Though sleep deprivation will often exacerbate the issue, the underlying causes are typically a lot less straightforward. There are multiple etiological factors to take into consideration when dealing with dark circles, some of which are easier to identify than others, some of the most common determinants happen to be attributed to genetic factors such as skin tone,facial anatomy and bony structures, which are predetermined, then there’s the slightly more covert but no less damaging matters of environmental pollution, sun exposure, nutritional deficiencies, and other general lifestyle choices that will often compound the problem.

In most cases dark circles materialise in assorted different ways, for example, excessive pigmentation can be hereditary but is often seen in such conditions as dermal melanosis or allergic contact dermatitis and will be exacerbated by environmental factors such as excessively sunning yourself, another instance is erythema which is the superficial reddening or violaceous tones of the skin caused by ruptured capillaries due to irritation or inflammation, these are generally more noticeable because of the fact that the skin around the eyes is extremely thin and contains little subcutaneous fat there.

Remedy: Dark circle destroyers

Whilst you can certainly disguise those weary eyes with a touch of concealer, even the wiliest makeup maestro can only ever disguise an eyesore. Cosmetic coverups will only get you so far, when you’re ready to tackle those gremlins head on then you've got to bring out the big guns.

The Eye Concentrate by La Meris one such product that does the most. Boasting a bountiful supply of peptides, minerals, and superstar ceramides, plus the infamous miracle broth, this dark circle destroyer doesn’t hang about. Fortified with the inclusion of the iron oxide trace mineral hematite, which is a potent anti-ager that can stimulate the production of collagen at a rate comparable to retinol; and tetra acetyl phytosphingosine which is an effective source of hydration contributing to a significant reduction of transepidermal water loss; plus helichrysum arenarium (everlasting) extract, as the name suggests, this youth boosting ingredient helps to preempt the effects of ageing while also stimulating the regeneration of new skin cells due to its cytophylactic properties. As well as its high antioxidant action, helichrysum arenarium is also an effective anticoagulant that gets the blood circulation going, and thus, improving the appearance of dark circles. With both instant and cumulative results, this formidable formula effectively dissolves the appearance of dark circles, surface discolouration and imperfections, and unwanted wrinkles so that the skin steadily reveals a healthier, smoother more luminous look.

For those prone to waking up looking a little worse for wear, thenSisley's Eye Contour Maskis something you need to be keeping at your disposal at all times. Formulated with a precise blend of functional minerals and phytonutrients, its specifically formulated to eradicate any signs of fatigue and ageing of the delicate skin on area of the eye contour. Infused with powerhouse ingredients such as gingko biloba, malachite and chlorella which are recognised for their healing faculties and ability to neutralise the effects of ageing, as well as protect against free radicals and oxidative stress; alongside soothing botanicals including arnica, linden blossom (tilia cordata), rosa centifolia flower extract and rosa damascena flower oil which are rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that help relieve inflammation, irritation and puffiness, in addition to healing broken capillaries beneath the eyes. Left on for just ten minutes, this quick fix is almost as good as getting your full nights sleep.

Problem: Eye bags

Beneath your eyes, there’s a cushiony layer of fat (suborbicularis oculi fat), that is supported by a muscle, the orbicularis oculi, which serves as a sort of guardian that is responsible for securing it. With age, the connective tissues of the lower eyelid muscle weakens and skin loses its resilience causing the fat deposits underneath the eyes to begin to balloon. Although ageing and genetics dictate the majority of the matter, oftentimes this tumefaction of the lower eyelid is the corollary effect of dilated blood vessels, though it may also be triggered because of things such as your sleeping position or having too much sodium in your diet manifesting as orbital oedema or interstitium fluid buildup accumulated beneath the region of the eye sockets.

Remedy: Eye bag busters

This particular battle of the bulge can be somewhat trickier to rein in, though the combination of nourishing marine algae, fermented enzymes, ceramides, and precious minerals like malachite and tourmaline inside The Eye Balm Intense from the geniuses over at La Mer have proven to be exceptionally effective at depuffing the eyes and toning down the ramfications of 'mature' skin. By helping to fight inflammation, stimulate the skins cellular renewal functions, replenish the lipid content in the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the epidermis), and encourage the production of collagen and glutathione, The Eye Balm Intense works its magic to alleviate puffiness, soothe skin, and eradicate fine lines and wrinkles, leaving the delicate skin around the eyes looking healthy, refreshed, and positively invigorated.

On the same note, there’s the Chantecaille Energising Eye Recovery Masks, which, apart from being a certain upgrade to your self-care pampering sessions, are an absolute boon for the precious skin around the eyes. Formulated with a hearty blend of precious minerals, a tonne of nourishing botanicals, plus peptides and vitamins, such as alpha glucosyl hesperidin which is a bioflavonoid compound rich in polyphenol antioxidants that stimulates the microcirculation of the epidermis whilst improving skin tone (especially that of mature skin) helping to alleviate dark circles, dulled complexions and puffiness around the eyes; there's also a highly nourishing complex of marine algae including agarose (rhodophyta seaweed) and plankton extract that boast a tremendous amount of vitamins and micronutrients, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides, carotenoids, and essential fatty acids which help to cleanse impurities, calm irritation, strengthen your defence against free radicals; last but certainly not least is the inclusion of colloidal gold and silk fibroin which help to improve elasticity and the production of collagen, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and calm inflammation. One of the surest ways to give those puffy peepers the ol' heave-ho, pop a pair of these eye masks on a few times a week to take your (eye) masking regimen to the next level and make sure you keep those old bags away.

Problem: Sagging skin around the eyes

With age, the skin eventually succumbs to the laws of gravity and begins to slack off, one of the first places this becomes most blatantly obvious is the delicate region of the eye contour. To a certain extent this is genetic, but could just as plausibly be because of your physiological response to external factors, for instance, how mindful you’ve been of protecting that sensitive facial area.

Some of the most critical offenders are ultraviolet radiation and its slightly more sinister cousin high-energy visible light (HEV), both of which penetrate deep into the dermis and generate free radicals hastening the ageing process. Moreover, these free radicals further accelerate the depletion of collagen and loss of elasticity in the skin, and have also been shown to induce oxidative stress, another sneaky skin aggressor, that occurs when there’s an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and the body’s own natural antioxidant defences.

Remedy: Crêpey skin crushers

Whilst there’s no harm in ageing gracefully and embracing your flaws, if you want to sidestep the sagginess then theSisley Paris Supremÿa Eyes at Nightshould be your first port of call. Specifically formulated to capitalise on the skins own biological rhythm, this creamy, lightweight formula works to fights the signs of ageing and atrophy around the eye contour from all angles. With its unique composition of incredibly puissant ingredients including adenosine which stimulates skin cellular energies to promote collagen synthesis and prevent wrinkles; caffeine, which acts as an astringent to constrict the blood vessels; soy peptides that carry curative properties that mitigate sagging, puffiness and droopy eyelids (ptosis); and prunus domestica seed extract, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, and oryza sativa (rice) extract for their abilities to soothe and smooth the texture of the skin while strengthening the skins barrier function; all of which work in tandem with sisley’s unique phytocomplex LC12 (that is, Sisley’s patented twelve hour longevity concentrate), a powerful synergistic blend of active plant ingredients, specially formulated to defy your genetic code and delay the onset of ageing at a cellular level. The ultimate anti-ageing night treatment for the eye area, consider this one your periorbital rehab.

Another option is the Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum by dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross. This lethal combination of bioactive phytochemicals and medical grade skincare ingredients, addresses the whole entire eye area to combat saggy or puffy eyelids, crows feet, and furrowed wrinkles between the brows. Powered by retinol (better known as the gold standard of anti-ageing) and ferulic acid (a hydroxycinnamic acid, renowned for its antioxidant properties), the formula is leavened by the addition of centella asiatica extract (gotu kola) which is an ancient medicinal plant that contains high concentration of terpenoids, amino acids, beta-carotene and essential fatty acids, numerous studies have shown it to increase collagen synthesis, reduce the depth of stubborn rhytides, heal psoriasis and treat ruptured capillaries; glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, which is renowned for its antioxidant properties, this herbal remedy is rich in flavonoids such as glabridin that provide the ability to mitigate oxidative stress, alleviate inflammation and soothe angry skin; plus a host of other skin-friendly bioflavonoids including quercetin, which is well documented for its antioxidant benefits that help boost the skins immunological defences, inhibit glycation and thereby the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and improves the mitochondrial function of the skin. One of the few credible eye treatments that contains retinol, the Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum is the perfect prescription for knackered eyes, ensuring this most delicate area of the face looks smoother, tauter, and demonstrably more youthful.

The last word

Whatever the provenanceof your dark circles, the most important practice for dealing withthem ought to be sun protection. By all means, sunscreen is not exactlyas exciting as masking parties or your buzzy skin boosters, but it’s your first line of defence against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin and you’ll probably reap the not-so-pleasant rewards if you neglect it. As well as using a regular face sunblock or an SPF primer, it’s worth going the extra mile and incorporating a specific formula to protect the eyes with something like Soleil Toujours Perpetual Radiance Eye Glow + Illuminator SPF 15 which doesn't just protect the fragile skin around the eyes, it also makes you look plausibly more awake.

Cheat sheet

- Don’t neglect the basics and apply sunscreen.- Use the correct active ingredients that are targeted to your specific skin concerns.- Use skincare as a preemptive measure to avoid the onset or worsening of the issue.- If all else fails, make like Corey Hart and wear your sunglasses at night.

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https://snob.eu/blogs/style/pink-trend2018-03-29T13:26:00+01:002018-12-05T05:55:58+00:00Zeitgeist | In the Pinkjesca jadeMore]]>
FROM BLUSH-TONES TO BUBBLEGUM, THIS SEASON PINK REALLY IS THE NEW BLACK

The dispatch: from blush tones and bubblegum to the absolutely shocking, the runways are flush with pink palettes. Whether it’s the sweet sorbet shades at Sies Marjan or the sportier inflections of Valentino, pink is not only the prettiest shade on the colour spectrum, it’s also the hottest.

The lowdown: Once the thing of ‘special snowflake’ types, the current penchant for pink goes way beyond ‘millennial pink’. Seen on just about every runway that actually matters, in virtually every variation of the shade you can imagine, pink has, once again, painted itself as the most desirable colour of the season. One of the main drivers behind the continued dominance of the colour both on, and off the runways, Alessandro Michele, has always had a particularly rose-coloured view of the world and during his time as creative director for Gucci has given us everything from pink glitter glasses and babushka headscarves, to entirely pink runway decor. This season he doubled-down on his eclectic aesthetic and reinforced his commitment to the colour with a flamboyant collection that had energy in abundance and a distinctly glam-rock edge. Skewed toward a retro seventies vibe, standout pink pieces from the jazzy 108 look lineup included an asymmetric bicolour silk dress in megawatt shades of magenta and persimmon orange embroidered with sparkly trompe l'oeil bows and paired with glittering crystal embellished tights. Things were just as colourful at Sies Marjan, where Sander Lak — the Dutch designer who has made a riotous use of colour his calling card — had been thinking about milkshakes. suggesting a more mellow tone than previous seasons, garments were “put through a wash cycle, fabrics were squeezed, wrung, tumbled and hung up to dry“ and his intensely rich colourations were softened by basically adding a drop of milk to them. Crumpled silks and shaggy furs came in an assortment of delicious shades ranging from peaches and cream to strawberry milkshake, key among them a coral pink bias-cut silk charmeuse dress that drapes and twists around the body in fluid rumples like silken waves. The case for pink was made especially persuasive at Valentino as Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeded where many others fail, in “making extraordinary what is ordinary”. Citing Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto (the epic poem written in 1532 which is noted as the first recorded mention of the moon) as inspiration, the designer sought to elevate the everyday into the high-fashion stratosphere by putting a very Valentino spin on them. A fantastic fusion of ultra-luxe athleisure and outright glamour, the lineup provided infinite opportunity to wear pink, abbreviated minidresses and stunning evening gowns in peachy pastels and blushing pinks came saturated in sequins and glittering embellishments, while style staples that tend to make up the majority of our wardrobes such as a roseate trench coat or a pair of Rockstud sneakers proved to be just as potent.

The look: Wearing pink on a ho-hum hump day has long been standard dress code, but as a certain Mr. Tony Robbins says, it’s time to raise your standards. Though we may have all been blissfully living la vie en rose for some time now, this season designers have moved on from rose quartz and millennial pink and taken it to the next level by including more brighter and bolder tones in their collections with everything from telemagenta to sassy sherbet pinks being thrown into the mix. Suddenly pink isn’t just about being pretty anymore. Indeed, the message from the runways was go hard or go home, the old rules no longer apply, whether it's the pink power dressing courtesy of Virgil Abloh at Off White or the punk militancy of Prada’s riot girls, this powerful pigment packs a serious sartorial punch.

The style tip: Bearing in mind that these days, at least where designers are concerned, pink is practically a neutral, getting dressed in the pink stuff requires a certain amount of subtlety. Naturally, accessories are the easiest way to incorporate the colour into your closet, whether you decide that you’re going all-in like Shirley Maclaine or you’re more of a dabbler and just want to dip your toes in, a jolt of pink in the form of a pair of snazzy slingback pumps or an elegant evening clutch can provide just the right amount of oomph to take your outfit from average to outstanding. Clearly, pink is the new black.

The hero piece: Notoriously charged with all sorts of political and sociological connotations, this supposedly girlish shade has never really been the blushing type. So it was no surprise to see that Miuccia Prada chose to tap into the more controversial aspects that it communicates for Prada ss18. A tendentious exploration of women’s rights and modern militancy, the collection was a welcome salute to female empowerment bringing more girl power than a Spice World movie and a standout wardrobe to match. Worn with some of the most commanding looks were these studded leather derby shoes in the most seductive shade of honeysuckle pink which make more of a statement than any pithy placard ever could do.

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https://snob.eu/blogs/style/sock-boots2018-01-16T08:28:00+00:002018-03-26T14:54:07+01:00Zeitgeist | Sock Bootsjesca jadeA game-changer when it comes to shoes, the sock boot is possibly the most ingenious footwear contraption designers have cobbled together in years.

The dispatch: Trends come, trends go, but every now and then there's a something that comes along to disrupt the status quo and turn the entire sartorial order on its head. As is the case of the sock boot. Perhaps the most inspired and most interesting take on the ankle boot to have transpired in years, this hybrid development is surely the seasons sine qua non.

The lowdown: Obviously the sock boot is pretty self-explanatory, as the name suggests, the sock boot is a certified Ronseal, which means, it does exactly what it says on the tin (or shoe box in this case). A surprisingly flattering cross-breed between a sock and a good ol’ boot, this footwear phenomenon presents a compelling alternative to your standard ankle boot for when you want to switch things up a bit. Typically made from tight-knit fabrications such as velvet, suede, or a specialist technical knitted fabric, the sock boot is designed to wear like a second-skin and hug the contours of the ankle sitting just above the ankle and below the calf, leaving you with the impression of a more lissom silhouette.

Get the look: Your newfound footwear obsession may be an extraordinary idea, but refrain from any of the gimmicks being touted out there. Do away with all the excess bells and whistles and keep things sharp and to-the-point. Anchor your outfit around the slender shape of your tootsies that the sock boot creates and play around with the proportions of your silhouette. Take your cues from the #BalmainArmy and style your outfit from the ground up. Wear a pair of the brand’s classic low-rise skinny biker jeans with an oversized puffer coat, or this seasons parka jacket from Calvin Klein 205W39NYC for the best results.

The style tip: Avoid any funny business with overwrought embellishments or crazy prints, the shape of the boot will provide all the fashion credentials you need this season. Stick to a sassy stiletto heel in a single hue such as burgundy, black, greige, or any of the other fifty shades of grey that take your fancy, and prepare to sock it to 'em.

The hero piece: Balmain's 'Aurore' ankle boots. Renowned for its high-octane take on evening glamour, this season Balmain came with a greater streetwise sharpness to its lineup as creative director Olivier Rousteing decided to tap into the idea of a more well-rounded wardrobe and "bring a bit of couture to daily life". With a fresh focus on daywear outfits, the accessories were designed to work round-the-clock, and the 'Aurore' ankle boots achieve that goal, working just as well everyday as they do after dark.